Chapter 95
The legs that had been moving naturally gradually disappeared as if they had never existed, eventually consuming his pelvis. Now unable to even sit, Zair collapsed to the floor, his eyes and ears fading. The only thing he could hear was the sound of his last breath, as the Emperor's voice passed through Zair’s mind.
“What is it that you desire?”
When was it?
In a faint memory, there was a time when the Emperor had asked him this question. It was so hazy that Zair couldn’t pinpoint exactly when it had happened, but now he understood. It must have been around the time when the Emperor had suddenly announced he would not appoint a Crown Prince, and, at that moment, Zair and the other siblings still had hope for the throne, undeterred by Sethian's existence.
For humans, living life must be to fulfill their desires.
For himself, and even for his father, the Emperor.
Zair’s eyes, fixed on a crown stained with blood and glory, finally focused on his father’s face. He couldn’t look away from the wrinkles on the face that had been hidden beneath the brilliant crown. Now that he realized he couldn’t achieve what he had longed for, why couldn’t he turn away from his father?
Zair’s gaze remained fixed on the Emperor until the very moment he became golden dust and vanished completely.
* * *
This incident was swiftly resolved under the leadership of Crown Prince Sethian.
The culprit behind the attempted poisoning of the First Prince, Second Prince Zair, tried to frame Crown Prince Sethian as the culprit and strip him of his position and succession rights to the throne. Additionally, Zair had attempted to poison the other siblings, but Sethian, who had anticipated this, had already taken action to prevent the crime. As a result, Zair, the mastermind, lost his claim to the throne and was confined to the topmost level of a stone tower for the rest of his life.
The weak Emperor, while questioning Zair in court, passed away, and thus, the throne was vacated sooner than expected.
Realizing that their own prince could no longer ascend to the throne, Zair’s followers urgently turned their attention to the other claimants to the throne. They knew they had to attach themselves to the one most likely to sit on the empty throne if they were to survive, and their urgency was unavoidable.
It was only natural that they would turn to Sethian. As the first successor to the throne and Crown Prince, Sethian had not only prevented the poisoning of the other royal family members but had also thoroughly investigated and solved the incident. For them, attaching themselves to the one most likely to become Emperor was a given.
With Sethian now holding double the power, it was surprising that there was almost no resistance from the other royals. Up until then, the royal family had been fiercely guarding themselves against each other, but now, they seemed to be quietly acquiescing, as though they were silently approving of Sethian becoming Emperor.
Soon after, Tower Lord Roa appeared holding the Emperor's will.
The will, which had been sealed in the deepest part of the Magic Tower by the Emperor's decree, contained only a brief message.
The one most suited to sit on the throne after his departure was the Fourth Prince, Sethian—a very short and clear statement.
Until then, it had merely been a point that could add legitimacy to the throne. However, with most of the people already supporting or silently acquiescing to Sethian’s ascension, it became a good excuse.
In a week’s time.
The new Emperor's coronation ceremony would take place.
* * *
“The physical condition will deteriorate soon.” Roa’s hand pulled away from Yi-Gyeol’s chest.
“Should we use the purification potion now?” Roa’s concerned question was met with Yi-Gyeol shaking his head. In his lowered eyes, there was an unfamiliar darkness.
“I’ll stay like this for a few more days…”
Roa, who had been quietly watching Yi-Gyeol, sighed deeply and lowered his head.
After the incident, Sethian immediately took Yi-Gyeol to his chamber and began busily handling matters. The throne was vacant overnight, and the disappearance of Zair had to be dealt with. Furthermore, Sethian had to investigate every aspect of what Zair had done, and the blood-filled tubes in the research lab had to be taken and thrown to the knights who had betrayed Zair.
There was so much to do that it would take more than both hands and feet to count them, so it was unavoidable that Sethian was swamped with work.
Meanwhile, Yi-Gyeol had asked Roa for the ‘medicine’ the Emperor had mentioned when he came to check on him alone.
Yi-Gyeol placed his hand over his left chest. His slow-beating heart seemed to be reminding him that there was little time left.
The medicine the Emperor had mentioned worked by forcibly preventing the absorption of vitality. It had been developed as a poison, but it was essential for Yi-Gyeol. As long as he had it, even if he kissed Sethian, he would not drain his vitality.
However, the inability to absorb vitality also meant that the energy required to move his body was no longer being supplied.
If he continued taking the medicine, his vitality would soon be drained, and his body would die. Since Yi-Gyeol had already connected to the magical stone Seth possessed, he would only be able to wander as a soul until the day Seth died.
The only good thing was that, in this incident, Yi-Gyeol had taken in a large amount of Seth’s blood, ensuring an overabundance of vitality. Thanks to that, he could last for a few more days, though it was precarious.
“That medicine might help with your choice.”
The Emperor didn’t criticize Yi-Gyeol for absorbing Seth’s vitality and shortening his lifespan. Sethian, who had hidden this and kept Yi-Gyeol close, had already made his own selfish choice. So, the Emperor had told Yi-Gyeol to think deeply and choose—whether it would be selfish or sacrificial, he had to choose.
Could he live while draining Seth’s lifespan? Could he stay by his side, taking away his days little by little, as he wanted?
Seth’s life and his own life.
The weight of both was something he couldn’t fathom or measure.
But as the time passed without vitality being absorbed, something in his chest began to move little by little.
The desperate vitality seemed to envelop his entire body, crying out.
He had been given the healthy life he had longed for, so why was he trying to throw it away?
Each time he heard that cry, someone deep within his chest laughed harshly. Was he planning to become a burden, taking even Seth’s lifespan?
He wished he had no choice in the matter.
He wished Seth would just abandon him.
The thought, one he had never had before, made his shoulders tremble. Roa, who saw this, hurriedly placed his jacket over Yi-Gyeol's shoulders, but Yi-Gyeol remained frozen, unmoving.
It was confusing for someone who had been receiving something from another to now hold the power to choose. The Emperor had told him to choose, but it was still too difficult.
Time passed, and soon, the lack of vitality in his body would become evident.
Yi-Gyeol lay in bed, not using his ability to leave his body, trying to minimize vitality consumption, but even then, he occasionally felt his body go numb.
He wished he had more time to think.
“Can I hold out until the coronation ceremony?” At Yi-Gyeol’s weak question, Roa sighed once more. He hesitated for a moment as though he were caught in a difficult problem, but eventually, he spoke the truth.
“With the amount of vitality you had drunk before, you’ve been able to endure for a few days, but the vitality you should have consumed every day was blocked. It wouldn’t be strange if you collapsed within the next few days.”
Seth’s coronation ceremony was a week away. Yi-Gyeol wanted to stay by his side until that day, pretending that nothing was wrong.
As Roa looked down at Yi-Gyeol, who was hunched over in a chair, trying once more to persuade him, the door suddenly burst open, startling both of them.
Upon seeing Sethian enter the room, Roa couldn’t help but swallow dryly. Despite his busy schedule, Sethian entered the room without a single trace of fatigue, his gaze fixed on Yi-Gyeol the moment he stepped inside.
“Is it all done?” Seth walked up to Yi-Gyeol and lifted his face, his eyes scanning as usual.
His black eyes, like an abyss, reflected Seth’s face, and the corners of his eyelids gently curved. “Did you come?”
Yi-Gyeol, with his usual smile, met Seth’s unyielding gaze, while Sethian fixed his eyes on him and turned to Roa. “Is everything fine?”
“…Yes.” Roa replied briefly, but in his heart, a painful pang of guilt welled up. If it weren’t for the Emperor’s request, he would have secretly told Sethian the truth.
At Sethian’s dismissal of him, Roa swallowed another sigh and left the room.
* * *
The moment they were alone, Yi-Gyeol finally stood up, turning away and lifting his shirt, “You must be busy, but is it okay to take some time for this?”
“If it’s just for a moment, it’s fine.”
“Still…”
“Joo Yi-Gyeol.”
Hearing his name, Yi-Gyeol froze mid-motion, his hands halting as he was buttoning his shirt.
“Look at me.” The command-like voice made Yi-Gyeol turn to face Sethian, who was standing so close their breaths mingled. Sethian’s clear green eyes locked with Yi-Gyeol’s.
“Why?” Yi-Gyeol, blinking nonchalantly, asked the question, but Seth’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Am I mistaken?”
“Mistaken?”
Seth’s voice turned icy, and Yi-Gyeol’s hands, which had been holding the shirt buttons, trembled slightly. “I’m clearly looking at you, so why do you keep acting like you’re avoiding me?”
Yi-Gyeol felt as though his entire body had been surrounded by something cold, a shiver running through him.
“What is it that you desire?”
When was it?
In a faint memory, there was a time when the Emperor had asked him this question. It was so hazy that Zair couldn’t pinpoint exactly when it had happened, but now he understood. It must have been around the time when the Emperor had suddenly announced he would not appoint a Crown Prince, and, at that moment, Zair and the other siblings still had hope for the throne, undeterred by Sethian's existence.
For humans, living life must be to fulfill their desires.
For himself, and even for his father, the Emperor.
Zair’s eyes, fixed on a crown stained with blood and glory, finally focused on his father’s face. He couldn’t look away from the wrinkles on the face that had been hidden beneath the brilliant crown. Now that he realized he couldn’t achieve what he had longed for, why couldn’t he turn away from his father?
Zair’s gaze remained fixed on the Emperor until the very moment he became golden dust and vanished completely.
* * *
This incident was swiftly resolved under the leadership of Crown Prince Sethian.
The culprit behind the attempted poisoning of the First Prince, Second Prince Zair, tried to frame Crown Prince Sethian as the culprit and strip him of his position and succession rights to the throne. Additionally, Zair had attempted to poison the other siblings, but Sethian, who had anticipated this, had already taken action to prevent the crime. As a result, Zair, the mastermind, lost his claim to the throne and was confined to the topmost level of a stone tower for the rest of his life.
The weak Emperor, while questioning Zair in court, passed away, and thus, the throne was vacated sooner than expected.
Realizing that their own prince could no longer ascend to the throne, Zair’s followers urgently turned their attention to the other claimants to the throne. They knew they had to attach themselves to the one most likely to sit on the empty throne if they were to survive, and their urgency was unavoidable.
It was only natural that they would turn to Sethian. As the first successor to the throne and Crown Prince, Sethian had not only prevented the poisoning of the other royal family members but had also thoroughly investigated and solved the incident. For them, attaching themselves to the one most likely to become Emperor was a given.
With Sethian now holding double the power, it was surprising that there was almost no resistance from the other royals. Up until then, the royal family had been fiercely guarding themselves against each other, but now, they seemed to be quietly acquiescing, as though they were silently approving of Sethian becoming Emperor.
Soon after, Tower Lord Roa appeared holding the Emperor's will.
The will, which had been sealed in the deepest part of the Magic Tower by the Emperor's decree, contained only a brief message.
The one most suited to sit on the throne after his departure was the Fourth Prince, Sethian—a very short and clear statement.
Until then, it had merely been a point that could add legitimacy to the throne. However, with most of the people already supporting or silently acquiescing to Sethian’s ascension, it became a good excuse.
In a week’s time.
The new Emperor's coronation ceremony would take place.
* * *
“The physical condition will deteriorate soon.” Roa’s hand pulled away from Yi-Gyeol’s chest.
“Should we use the purification potion now?” Roa’s concerned question was met with Yi-Gyeol shaking his head. In his lowered eyes, there was an unfamiliar darkness.
“I’ll stay like this for a few more days…”
Roa, who had been quietly watching Yi-Gyeol, sighed deeply and lowered his head.
After the incident, Sethian immediately took Yi-Gyeol to his chamber and began busily handling matters. The throne was vacant overnight, and the disappearance of Zair had to be dealt with. Furthermore, Sethian had to investigate every aspect of what Zair had done, and the blood-filled tubes in the research lab had to be taken and thrown to the knights who had betrayed Zair.
There was so much to do that it would take more than both hands and feet to count them, so it was unavoidable that Sethian was swamped with work.
Meanwhile, Yi-Gyeol had asked Roa for the ‘medicine’ the Emperor had mentioned when he came to check on him alone.
Yi-Gyeol placed his hand over his left chest. His slow-beating heart seemed to be reminding him that there was little time left.
The medicine the Emperor had mentioned worked by forcibly preventing the absorption of vitality. It had been developed as a poison, but it was essential for Yi-Gyeol. As long as he had it, even if he kissed Sethian, he would not drain his vitality.
However, the inability to absorb vitality also meant that the energy required to move his body was no longer being supplied.
If he continued taking the medicine, his vitality would soon be drained, and his body would die. Since Yi-Gyeol had already connected to the magical stone Seth possessed, he would only be able to wander as a soul until the day Seth died.
The only good thing was that, in this incident, Yi-Gyeol had taken in a large amount of Seth’s blood, ensuring an overabundance of vitality. Thanks to that, he could last for a few more days, though it was precarious.
“That medicine might help with your choice.”
The Emperor didn’t criticize Yi-Gyeol for absorbing Seth’s vitality and shortening his lifespan. Sethian, who had hidden this and kept Yi-Gyeol close, had already made his own selfish choice. So, the Emperor had told Yi-Gyeol to think deeply and choose—whether it would be selfish or sacrificial, he had to choose.
Could he live while draining Seth’s lifespan? Could he stay by his side, taking away his days little by little, as he wanted?
Seth’s life and his own life.
The weight of both was something he couldn’t fathom or measure.
But as the time passed without vitality being absorbed, something in his chest began to move little by little.
The desperate vitality seemed to envelop his entire body, crying out.
He had been given the healthy life he had longed for, so why was he trying to throw it away?
Each time he heard that cry, someone deep within his chest laughed harshly. Was he planning to become a burden, taking even Seth’s lifespan?
He wished he had no choice in the matter.
He wished Seth would just abandon him.
The thought, one he had never had before, made his shoulders tremble. Roa, who saw this, hurriedly placed his jacket over Yi-Gyeol's shoulders, but Yi-Gyeol remained frozen, unmoving.
It was confusing for someone who had been receiving something from another to now hold the power to choose. The Emperor had told him to choose, but it was still too difficult.
Time passed, and soon, the lack of vitality in his body would become evident.
Yi-Gyeol lay in bed, not using his ability to leave his body, trying to minimize vitality consumption, but even then, he occasionally felt his body go numb.
He wished he had more time to think.
“Can I hold out until the coronation ceremony?” At Yi-Gyeol’s weak question, Roa sighed once more. He hesitated for a moment as though he were caught in a difficult problem, but eventually, he spoke the truth.
“With the amount of vitality you had drunk before, you’ve been able to endure for a few days, but the vitality you should have consumed every day was blocked. It wouldn’t be strange if you collapsed within the next few days.”
Seth’s coronation ceremony was a week away. Yi-Gyeol wanted to stay by his side until that day, pretending that nothing was wrong.
As Roa looked down at Yi-Gyeol, who was hunched over in a chair, trying once more to persuade him, the door suddenly burst open, startling both of them.
Upon seeing Sethian enter the room, Roa couldn’t help but swallow dryly. Despite his busy schedule, Sethian entered the room without a single trace of fatigue, his gaze fixed on Yi-Gyeol the moment he stepped inside.
“Is it all done?” Seth walked up to Yi-Gyeol and lifted his face, his eyes scanning as usual.
His black eyes, like an abyss, reflected Seth’s face, and the corners of his eyelids gently curved. “Did you come?”
Yi-Gyeol, with his usual smile, met Seth’s unyielding gaze, while Sethian fixed his eyes on him and turned to Roa. “Is everything fine?”
“…Yes.” Roa replied briefly, but in his heart, a painful pang of guilt welled up. If it weren’t for the Emperor’s request, he would have secretly told Sethian the truth.
At Sethian’s dismissal of him, Roa swallowed another sigh and left the room.
* * *
The moment they were alone, Yi-Gyeol finally stood up, turning away and lifting his shirt, “You must be busy, but is it okay to take some time for this?”
“If it’s just for a moment, it’s fine.”
“Still…”
“Joo Yi-Gyeol.”
Hearing his name, Yi-Gyeol froze mid-motion, his hands halting as he was buttoning his shirt.
“Look at me.” The command-like voice made Yi-Gyeol turn to face Sethian, who was standing so close their breaths mingled. Sethian’s clear green eyes locked with Yi-Gyeol’s.
“Why?” Yi-Gyeol, blinking nonchalantly, asked the question, but Seth’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Am I mistaken?”
“Mistaken?”
Seth’s voice turned icy, and Yi-Gyeol’s hands, which had been holding the shirt buttons, trembled slightly. “I’m clearly looking at you, so why do you keep acting like you’re avoiding me?”
Yi-Gyeol felt as though his entire body had been surrounded by something cold, a shiver running through him.
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